Fitch Downgrades Ukraine's LC IDR to 'CCC'; Affirms FC IDR at 'CCC'

Reuters Staff

6 Min Read

(The following statement was released by the rating agency) LONDON, August 22 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has downgraded Ukraine's Long-term local currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'CCC' from 'B-' and affirmed its Long-term foreign currency IDR at 'CCC'. The issue ratings on Ukraine's senior unsecured local currency bonds were downgraded to 'CCC' from 'B-' while the senior unsecured foreign currency bonds were affirmed at 'CCC'. The Country Ceiling has been affirmed at 'CCC' and the Short-term foreign currency IDR at 'C'. KEY RATING DRIVERS The downgrade reflects the following factors and their relative weights: HIGH Ukraine is part-way through a political transition that began in February when popular protests ousted former president Viktor Yanukovych. A new administration has signed a stand-by arrangement with the IMF and embarked on a programme of economic reforms. Polls indicate new elections in October could lead to stronger parliamentary backing for this programme, but economic and political risks could derail it. The government has been fighting separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk beginning in April, leaving over 2,000 dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. Although the government has recaptured territory from the rebels, conflict may persist or intensify, delaying economic revival and damaging productive assets. Instability in the east and disputes with Russia are affecting the economy. Fitch forecasts real GDP to shrink at least 6.5% in 2014, much worse than the agency had expected in February, and assumes zero growth in 2015 and 2016. Exports to Russia, the largest export market and source of energy imports, plunged 24% in 1H14. Gazprom cut gas supplies to Ukraine in June amid a payment dispute. Energy shortages are a risk. Government solvency has deteriorated. The consolidated fiscal deficit, including losses of Naftogaz, the state energy company, will reach 10% of GDP in 2014. The government aims to cut this to 6% of GDP in 2015. Direct and guaranteed debt will surpass 65% of GDP in 2014 - above the level envisaged in the IMF programme - but could stabilise in 2015 if energy subsidies are reduced as planned. Refinancing sovereign debt remains a challenge. The reserves position remains fragile and only public foreign-currency borrowing under the IMF programme stands in the way of a renewed external financing crisis and probable default. The hryvnia has depreciated more than 37% against the USD since end-2013, leading to a sharp external adjustment. Fitch expects the current account deficit to narrow to less than 5% of GDP in 2014 from 9% in 2013, following currency depreciation and a sharp fall in imports. MEDIUM Currency depreciation, recession and conflict in the economically important east of the country will have damaged the banking system's asset quality. The government has budgeted up to UAH30bn (1.5% of GDP) to support state banks, private banks and the deposit guarantee fund. Fitch believes eventual recapitalisation needs could be higher. Bank deposits fell sharply in 1Q14 but have since stabilised. The National Bank of Ukraine has provided greater liquidity to banks, and has begun to close down weaker institutions. RATING SENSITIVITIES The main factors that could, individually or collectively, result in a downgrade: -Intensification of political and/or economic stress, potentially leading to a default on government debt The main factors that could, individually or collectively, could result in an upgrade: -Improvement in political stability -Progress in implementing economic policy agenda agreed with the IMF -Improvement in external liquidity KEY ASSUMPTIONS Ukraine continues to receive disbursements from the IMF and retains support from the EU and other multilateral organisations. Ukraine avoids a full-scale invasion. Contact: Charles Seville Director +44 20 3530 1048 Fitch Ratings Limited 30 North Colonnade London E14 5GN Secondary Analyst Paul Rawkins Senior Director +44 20 3530 1046 Committee Chairperson James McCormack Managing Director +44 20 3530 1286 Media Relations: Peter Fitzpatrick, London, Tel: +44 20 3530 1103, Email: peter.fitzpatrick@fitchratings.com. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com Applicable criteria, 'Sovereign Rating Criteria' dated 12 August 2014 and 'Country Ceilings' dated 09 August 2013, are available at www.fitchratings.com. Applicable Criteria and Related Research: Ukraine - Rating Action Report here Country Ceilings here Sovereign Rating Criteria here Additional Disclosure Solicitation Status here ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: here. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE.